how do you get cervical cancer?

Answer 1

Most cervical cancers are brought upon because of an infection called HPV. There are 2-3 of the strains of HPV that can cause cervical cancer. Not all cervical cancer is caused by this but most all are. HPV is carried in 70-80% of all sexually active people who have no symptoms of the infection. Most of these infections are not the strains that cause cancer. The strains that do cause cancer also cause genital warts. Genital warts and HPV go hand in hand. It is a tricky infection because one doesn't really know when they came into contact with it. Warts can be visible to the naked eye and in many cases they are not visible without a solution being places on the genitals. As well, it can take weeks, months, and even years before someone has an outbreak of genital warts from the time they were infected. These warts can be on the outside of the vagina, the vulva, anus and inside the vagina on the cervix OR on the penis, scrotum, anus, or down the thigh area.
Hpv also causes warts on the hands and legs, but this strain is not one that creates cervical cancer.

There are risk factors for cervical cancer. Many births (5 and over), becoming sexually active below the age of 16, having multiple sexual partners, std's, and smoking.

No one can determine who will get cervical cancer and who won't. Sometimes this cancer has spread from another part of the body in which case it is not considered cervical cancer, it would be wherever the primary tumor is and would be treated the same as that cancer.

Cancer is an overgrowth of cells. Our body makes new cells and gets rid of the old, but with cancer our body makes new cells without getting rid of the old and the cells accumulate and form a growth called a tumor, which can be cancer.

Answer 2

To put it simply, cervical cancer is caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). The virus spreads through sexual contact but most times, our bodies are able to fight it off. Otherwise, it leads to precancerous changes and later cervical cancers.

You are at higher risk if you smoke, have many children, use birth control pills or have HIV infection.
The next question is can cervical cancer be prevented?

As mentioned above, there are 2 stages to the development of cervical cancer. Therefore, we can find ways first to prevent precancerous changes and secondly to prevent precancerous from becoming cancers.
1. Prevent precancerous changes
a. Avoid exposure to HPV – delay having sexual intercourse, limit your partners and use condoms.
b. Stop smoking
c. See your doctor and ask for HPV vaccines. Gardasil(R) has been approved and protects against HPV type 6, 11, 16 & 18. To be effective, the vaccine should be given before you become sexually active and Gardasil doesn’t protect you from all types of HPV nor does it treats if you are already infected.

2. Prevent precancerous from becoming cancers
a. Go for regular PAP smear. Recommended to start 3 years after your first sexual intercourse and then every 2 years (using the new Thin-prep technique).
b. Many other slightly invasive techniques which your doctor will advise if the PAP smear is abnormal.

Answer 3

Cervical cancer is caused by some strains of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).

Not all types of HPV cause cancer.

Not every case of HPV that can cause cancer will.

Some people fulluy recover from HPV.

HPV is transmitted through direct contact, those affecting the genital area are a sexually transmitted disease.

Estimated 75% of sexually active adults have HPV at some time in their lives.

The strains of HPV that cause cancer can be vaccinated against, but this needs to be done BEFORE becoming sexually active to give best protection.

Answer 4

Some people, like myself get cervical cancer and do not have the HPV virus though...I've been tested numerous times and I'm negative. I do have stage II cervical cancer though. I only had one abnormal pap smear in my life and I'm 33 and was tested yearly. So not ALL cases are caused by hpv, but most are.

Answer 5

Certain types of HPV (Human Papaloma [spelling might be wrong] Virus) cause cervical cancer. There is a vaccine for it, but most doctors require that you have never been sexually active to get it, as it is a sexually transmitted disease of sorts. It can be passed through sexual contact (including, but not limited to, intercorse).